MITOCHONDRIAL DNA VARIATION AND MATERNAL GENE FLOW AMONG HUMPBACK WHALES OF THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

  1. C. S. Baker1,
  2. L. Flórez-González2,
  3. B. Abernethy3,
  4. H. C. Rosenbaum4,
  5. R. W. Slade5,
  6. J. Capella6,
  7. J. L. Bannister7

Article first published online: 26 AUG 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.1998.tb00758.x

Issue

Marine Mammal Science

Marine Mammal Science

Volume 14, Issue 4, pages 721–737, October 1998

Additional Information

How to Cite

Baker, C. S., Flórez-González, L., Abernethy, B., Rosenbaum, H. C., Slade, R. W., Capella, J. and Bannister, J. L. (1998), MITOCHONDRIAL DNA VARIATION AND MATERNAL GENE FLOW AMONG HUMPBACK WHALES OF THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. Marine Mammal Science, 14: 721–737. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.1998.tb00758.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    School of Biological Sciences Private Bag 92019 University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand E-mail: cs.baker@auckland.ac.nz

  2. 2

    Fundacion Yubarta Apartado Aereo 33141 Cali, Colombia

  3. 3

    1 Carrington Street, Newtown Wellington, New Zealand

  4. 4

    American Museum of Natural History Molecular Systematic Laboratory 79th Street & Central Park West New York, New York 10024-5192, U. S. A.

  5. 5

    Queensland Institute of Medical Research Royal Brisbane Hospital Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia

  6. 6

    Fundacion Yubarta Apartado Aereo 33141 Cali, Colombia

  7. 7

    Western Australia Museum Francis Street Perth, Western Australia 6000, Australia

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 AUG 2006
  2. Article first published online: 26 AUG 2006
  3. Received: 4 September 1996 Accepted: 20 August 1997

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Keywords:

  • humpback whales;
  • mitochondrial DNA;
  • stocks;
  • Southern Hemisphere;
  • genetic variation;
  • Megaptera novaeangliae

Abstract

Samples of skin tissue were collected by biopsy darting from humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in six seasonal habitats representing three stocks and four regions: Groups IV (western Australia), V western component (eastern Australia), V eastern component (New Zealand and Tonga) and VI (the Antarctic Peninsula and Gorgona Island, Colombia, South America) of the Southern Hemisphere. A variable section of the mitochondrial DNA control region was amplified and sequenced from 84 of these individuals, distinguishing a total of 48 unique sequences (i. e., mtDNA nucleotypes). Phylogenetic reconstructions suggested that these nucleotypes form three clades, corresponding to those previously described in a world-wide survey of humpback whale mtDNA variation, although bootstrap support for two of the clades was relatively low (<50%). An analysis of variance adapted for molecular information showed significant differentiation of nucleotypes among the three Groups (Stocks) and heterogeneity of haplotype diversity among the four regions. A pattern of interchange within and between oceanic basins was demonstrated by the presence of shared identical nucleotypes among humpback whales in regions of the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

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